CableFAX: 87. Travel Guide: Ryan O’Hara
Ryan O’Hara
Title: President, TV Guide Network, TV Guide Broadband
Last Year: #78
Age: 39
Ed: Stanford, BA Econ; Harvard, MBA
Why Him? It’s difficult to know just where O’Hara will call home next year. With the $2.3mln sale of Gemstar-TV Guide to Macrovision Solutions in May, a transaction O’Hara was an integral part of, the young TV Guide chief could be exiting or asked to remain. Since O’Hara is working with Macrovision and UBS to identify new owners for TVG Network, it seems the Harvard MBA and former Stanford beach volleyball star will again be master of his fate. If O’Hara remains the network will benefit from the vision that’s helped it grow to 83mln HHs and loaded it with original programming focused on informing and entertaining TV viewers.
Cool Moment: When O’Hara emailed your editors with congrats and compliments on their Internet short-video debut, Faxassins. (Did we mention Ryan’s superb taste and keen eye for talent?)
Year Ahead: 
The TVG Network deal was expected to close this year, but the credit crunch could scotch those plans.
Favorite City: Los Angeles
Fave Show Not on My Net: Fareed Zakaria’s GPS on CNN
In ’09 I Resolve To: Not to sell another company
Cable’s Biggest Challenge: Free content all over the Internet
I Wish My Kids Would: Grow up happy, healthy and like their parents
SA
